Parks & Recreation

The Square on Second has been a multi-year endeavor by the village to create a centralized place that will offer recreational, social and relaxation activities for all ages. Some of the amenities include: play structures (jumping pillow, zip line, rotating climber), tree wrapped benches, a fire pit area and lighted water feature.

The Square on Second is home to events such as Rockin’ on the Square (our summer concert series that happens the 3rd Friday of the summer months), Yoga on the Square,  Fire Log Jam and Santa on the Square. 

NOTE: Due to recent issues observed by both park rangers and patrol officers, and for the safety of all children using the jumping pillow feature at the Square on Second, we are implementing the following rule change:

From 10:00 AM when the pillow opens, until 7:00 PM, all users will be restricted to 54” tall or less (parents can still go in with small children).

This restriction will be in effect every day until further notice.

The height restriction will be lifted at 7:00 PM and allow children of any height to properly use the pillow until closing at 10:00 PM.

Seasonal hours for the jumping pillow: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily (The pillow is closed during the winter months.)

Located in South Creek Subdivision on Cook Street, Heritage Park is one of our larger public parks in the Village of Manteno. The park boasts a walking path, a covered pavilion, picnic areas, 2 lighted baseball fields, a concession building with restrooms and is home to several local athletic associations.

The land was formally know as the Phipps Farm.  On the west side of the park, you will find the dedication plaque in honor of the family.

Legacy Park presently has a Splash Pad, that is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day; a walking path; football/soccer field; softball field; a skate rink that can be used year around (roller blades or ice skates) and a picnic grove and gazebo.

Legacy Park is a joint effort between the Village of Manteno and Manteno Township. The 66 acre park was purchased in 2008. With the help of Hitchcock Design Group a master plan was created. Hitchcock also helped with two Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant applications. We were awarded $400,000 for phase one and $400,000 for phase two.

*No sleds will be allowed on the ice. *Alcohol is prohibited.*No unauthorized vehicles are allowed.*Please no glass bottles.*Pets must be leashed.*Clean up pet waste.

Help us keep the area clean by discarding trash into receptacles that are provided.

Located near Lake Walden in Westfield Subdivision, Don Belcher Park has play equipment, a picnic pavilion, and a basketball court. 

Named in honor of Don Belcher, a local builder, business owner and developer. Mr. Belcher loved his family and Manteno and was always willing to help those around him. The park was dedicated on October 25, 2003.

Lucille Thies Park offers a large playground with plenty of green space as well as the new pickleball  court.  Not sure how to play? Visit https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/how-to-play/basics/rules-summary/

The park named in honor of LUCILLE THIES is located in the Park West Subdivison on Park Street.

Ms. Thies is remembered because of her many contributions to community, church and civic events. She was a driving force behind the library, the initiation of the ecumenical movement in the community and a chairperson multiple times over for her church benefits. She was a lifetime reader and promoted children’s literature. Disabled by rheumatoid arthritis, she nevertheless employed her excellent writing and communication skills (typing with one finger), as a reporter-columnist for THE MANTENO NEWS, until her untimely death in 1972.

In 1969, the community named a Sunday in September as LUCILLE THIES DAY, honoring her with a “This Is Your Life” celebration.

Wright Park has various play ground equipment including a “Mommy and Me” swing.  The park includes a basketball court and a small picnic pavilion.  A walking path off South Walnut Street connects Wright Park to Heritage Park giving park goers easy access to hit two parks in one day!

Wright Park is named for Frank M. Wright, village president from 1921 -1923.  The land was donated by the Wright family and is located in Wright Estates Subdivision on South Walnut Street.

Ruder Park is a great place to have a picnic – adjacent to Rock Creek, the park has a walking path with a scenic bridge as well as playground equipment.

Ruder Park was named on behalf of Isadore Ruder, a former village president from 1953 – 1957 and also active in the village’s civic and philanthropic activities.  Located off McGuire Drive in Whispering Creek subdivision, Ruder Park was dedicated in the 1980’s.

Jacobs Park hosts playground equipment as well as a pavilion for having a family picnic. 

Jacobs Park is named for, Harold Jacobs, a past Village President for the Village from 1973 -1981. The park is located in South Creek Subdivision on South Creek Drive.

A large park with a lot of greenspace; Eddie Reed Park is home to the famous “Manteno Water Tower”.  You will find two sand volleyball courts, a basketball court, a picnic pavilion, and play equipment with a zipline.  The North Walking Path runs along the north end of the park which will connect you to Legacy Park after a short half mile walk.

Eddie Reed, named to the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame as a Friend of Basketball, was honored as Manteno’s #1 sports fan. Located in the West End Subdivision, Eddie Reed Park was dedicated in 1989.

Hendrickson Park is where you can find all the kids on a snowy day — home to the “giant” hill, perfect for sledding!  The park is unique in that it has its very own skate park as well as playground equipment, a basketball court, and a small baseball field.

Hendrickson Park is located on the east side of the Village along East Third Street (County Hwy 9). The park was named for WILBUR HENDRICKSON, who served three terms as Village President from 1945-1953 and 1957-1961. Prior to this he was a Village Trustee for 14 years.

One item on his agenda was to get the State of Illinois to abolish the “Dump” on the northeast side of the village. He felt this area was a health hazard and an eye sore.

Mr. Hendrickson died before succeeding at this endeavor. However, when the land became available, Russell Henrickson purchased this land and donated a section of it in honor of his brother.

Our Memorial Park is a celebration of the people who have touched our lives, both present and in the past.

Tributes may honor a personal achievement, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, your loyal pet, the birth of a new baby, service men and women, as well as memorializing the life of a loved one.

Our Memorial Park is located at the corner of Section Line Road and Hickory Street, featuring memorial: benches, pavers, stepping stones, trees, pergolas and a beautiful stone fountain.

You may select your item location from the map on the brochure. A larger map is available for viewing at Village Hall.

The following items are available for purchase to honor your loved ones: